Jazz and the powerful Rhythm and Blues from the 1940s and 1950s will return to Swan Valley winery Upper Reach on Saturday, March 6 when Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys take to the stage as the sun goes down.
During coronavirus times the band has mostly been doing online concerts, although bandleader Adam Hall says they are booked in for the New Orleans Jazz Fest, currently set down for April 22 to May 2 in 2021.
In the meantime, though the band will be belting out the hits of musicians like Sammy Davis Junior, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Louis Prima, Chuck Berry and Jacki Wilson as well as more current performers like Harry Connick Junior and The Blues Brothers at Upper Reach.
Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys.
Alongside Adam (Vocals, Trumpet), the Velvet Playboys feature some of Western Australia's finest musicians, including Mark Turner (Guitar); Anthony Dodos (Trombone); Bronton Ainsworth (Drums); Kane Shaw (Double Bass); and Tim Voutas (Keys).
The vintage music band with its slick presentation and high energy is renowned for its vibrant live performances.
The Velvet Playboys are a regular at the Upper Reach concerts and have been playing almost since the concerts began.
Winery owner Laura Pearse says the popularity of the band comes from its energy. She says their music makes people want to jump up and dance.
The sun goes down at Upper Reach as Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys entertain.
The 2021 concerts will be the 17th year of celebrations for the annual vintage.
Patrons spread themselves out on picnic blankets on the lawns in front of the cellar door with their own picnic baskets or enjoy a meal at RiverBrook restaurant overlooking the stage.
Tickets for the concert and two-course dinner are $110.
The menu for March 6 has an entrée of chili prawns, kaffir lime, served with coconut rice; or warm mushroom and basil bruschetta, topped with goats cheese (vegetarian and gluten-free).
The main is char-grilled beef mignon with sautéed baby potatoes, red pepper, Spanish onion and shiraz jus; or confit duck breast on maple parsnip mash with orange citrus glaze; or roasted eggplant and capsicum goats cheese roulade on hummus served with crispy lavash bread, dukkha and spinach cauliflower salad (vegetarian).
Upper Reach's award-winning wines will be available by the bottle from the cellar door with wines starting from $30 a bottle. BYO is not allowed.
Picnic on the lawn to the sounds of Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys.
Doors at Upper Reach open at 5.45pm and the concert starts at 6.30pm.
General admission tickets for the concert are $48 per person, $20 for five to 17-year-olds and children under five free. A season pass for all four twilight concerts, Nueva Salsa on February 6; the Aretha Franklin Experience on February 13; Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys on March 6; and Adam Hall and the Soul Playboys on March 20, is $145.
Concert tickets are available from
https://www.upperreach.com.au/Twilight-Concerts
Upper Reach Winery is at 77 Memorial Avenue, Baskerville and is open every day from 11am to 5pm.
RiverBrook Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch every day from 9am.
The phone number for the cellar door is (08) 9296 0078 and for the restaurant is (08) 9296 3883.
